Best method of learning Morse Code?
Dana
code. I've found two methods, the Farnsworth and the Koch, both of
which sound promising.
The similiarity is: Both methods send the characters at a rate of 18
wpm.
The difference is: The Farnsworth method sets the overall send speed
at around 5-6 wpm, with large spaces in between the characters.
After you know the alphabet, you gradually increase the send speed.
The Koch methods sends the code at a full 18 wpm, and you start by
learning two letters, then when you've got that mastered, add one
more, etc. They claim this method will cause you to learn the code
"reflexivly", and you will be able to copy at 18wpm much easier than
any other method.
Anybody use either of these? Comments? Suggestions?
thanks
Dana (wannabe general licensee!!)
W4PHM
operators!!!
I like the Gordon West method, it is farnsworth based and is
straight forward, some friends have had luck with code quick but
that seems only a good way to get started, to increase your speed
you have to go beyond code quick.
73
Patrick
W4PHM
"Dana" <fj40...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:9a118507.03013...@posting.google.com...
Owner
Koch was mind boggling for me... WAY too fast. I got frustrated and
gave up and didn't try again for about 2 years. I do understand that
some folks swear that Koch worked for them. I wonder, though... can
the Koch method graduates copy someone sending at slow speeds?
The key to CW, no matter what method of learning you choose, is to
practice it at least 10 minutes EVERY day... and 20-30 minutes a day
whenever you can.
Good luck on your upgrade! Stick with it and you'll do fine. If I
could do it, anyone can.
73
-David Kleber, KB3FXI
www.PA-SitRep.com
Dee D. Flint
Learn the code first using a Farnsworth approach (characters at 18wpm with
spacing so words are at 5wpm). Once you can copy code reasonably well this
way, switch to the Koch to get your overall speed up.
In both cases, your character speed is the same. But starting at the
Farnsworth setup, your brain has more time to react. At first you need this
time. Your "reflexes" will pick up speed in time.
Using the Koch method, it will probably take you longer to get all the
characters down as you are going to go for a speed that is overall higher.
To get to 5wpm at a character speed of 18 will take the average person about
30 hours of combined study and practice using a Farnsworth method approach.
This is the way the tests are given by the way.
To get to 18wpm at a character speed of 18 will take the average person
about 100 hours of study & practice regardless of method used. You can
start with the Farnsworth and speed it up as you get better at it. Or you
can start with the Koch approach.
So the Koch will take longer to get ready for the testing because you are
bypassing the lower speed and going straight to the higher speed. However
if your goal is 18wpm and higher speeds anyway and don't mind taking a
little longer before you are ready to test, it would be fine to start right
from the beginning this way.
Dee Flint, N8UZE
Jackie
I used both methods to learn the code. I first used the Farnsworth method
via the ARRL's "Your Introduction to Morse Code" CDs. I also downloaded the
free G4FON Koch trainer for practice on random letters and to increase my
speed. You can use both, but I think you might find it easier to start with
Farnsworth and supplement it later with practice using Koch. A good thing
about the Koch trainer software is that it shoots out random characters, so
you cannot memorize the practices like you can with CDs and tapes.
I don't have the G4FON website URL, but if you do a Google search on it, I'm
sure you'll find it.
Jackie
KC0ODY
Tiger
keeps getting in the way. I've tried pretty much all the different
freeware available, Gordon West's tapes, ARRL tapes, and Ham University.
Ham U. is my favorite. I think it's the most user friendly of all the
software I've tried, and I liked the demo program so much I shelled out
the $ for the full program despite being a freeware junkie. You can
download a free demo here: http://hamuniversity.com/
The software allows you to adjust the speed of the charaters and the
spacing, and the code sent in lessons is random so you don't end up just
memorizing each lesson as can happen with tapes. It also includes a game
and the written Ham tests. I highly recommend it.
If I wasn't using Ham U., my next choice would be to try Code Quick. I
like their meathod from what I've read on their web site:
http://www.cq2k.com/
Good Luck!
Tiger
AC6V
them -- but perhaps not another will find the same one the "best". One is
advised to try several until one clicks in. Beware of the Elmer that sez
"this method is the best" Maybe the best for them but not for you.
IMHO the most important ingredient is to persevere. Those that study 20 to
30 minutes or so a day - every day and not give up will find that in a month
or so it will snap in place. Many are sporadic in the lesson regimen and
others expect miracles and give up too soon. Stay with it and like typing,
riding a bike, swimming, etc -- it will come to you.
Methods are see -- http://ac6v.com/morseaids.htm#Learn
VISUAL -- some learn best by seeing it on the screen as they hear it.
AUDIBLE - For many, the instant recognition of a character or whole word is
usually recommended. The less interpretation taken between the initial
hearing and recognition, the better.
But some learn by a musically or language associated- some learn it as a
song or word -- dah dah ditit -- The zebra did it. dah dah di dah -- here
comes the bride - queen. Code Quick does this with mnemonics.
AUDIBLE - INVERSE - Some study the opposites A then N, K then R, etc.
AUDIBLE PHONETICS - Some learn by associating it with the NATO Alphabet
i.e, dit-dah followed by A or ALPHA after a while you will hear dit dah and
A or alpha pops into the brain.
PATTERNS -There are patterns in morse code letters. For example: the letter
A is similar to the letter W except that the letter W has an additional dah
to it. One might study A, W, J, 1 in order, then mixed. This is effective if
one has difficulty in discerning J from 1 etc.
TYPING - some find that they have an automatic reflex to hearing a character
and hitting the right key on a keyboard. Check with your VEC if they will
allow you to take the test this way. One of our local examiners does allow
this as well as a Braille keyboard for the blind.
SENDING - Some folks learn better by sending with a key. Others read signs
while driving on the highway. This is usually in conjunction with a
listening method.
CHARACTERS - at 5 WPM it is feasible to repeat (or count) the dits and dahs
in your head and pass the test --- this is the hard way and Farnsworth makes
this tough - not recommended but may be the only way for some.
PLAIN TEXT VS MIXED RANDOM CHARACTERS. Studying Morse in plain text gives
the advantage of being able to anticipate what is coming next where mixed
random characters - ya gotta know them all. Maybe practice both if that
works for you.
KOCH METHOD - Learn morse code using high speed random characters.
FARNSWORTH - All tests are soon to be given at 12 WPM character speed, 5 WPM
overall speed - if you are tested in Farnsworth -- then study that way --
several who have studied straight 5 WPM - couldn't copy a darn thing in
Farnsworth.
BRAIN SOAK - Some folks give up on methods and just plain listen to code
practice until one day it just all comes together. The impediment to
increasing speed and proficiency is called a barrier which you may feel you
will never hurdle, but is amazing when one day after brain soaking - it
magically all comes together. Your mileage may vary.
I have known students to learn by one of these methods where other methods
fail -- try each of them for what works for you. I learned well by audible
inverse -- but others did not. I could never understand how one learned by
visual -- but one person I know found it the only way!
One long time code instructor advises; "Most people's problems with the code
stem from trying to learn it too fast without sufficient drilling before
they move on to each new letter. The average person needs about 30 hours of
study and practice on the code to hit 5 wpm. Now this is an average. Some
will take longer and some will take less." So a half hour in the morning, a
half hour in the evening and in a month -- you should have it.
For many -- Lesson sessions greater than an hour can overload the brain. 20
to 30 minutes or so a day - EVERY day.
For more knowledge of the ages, methods etc -- gathered from many code
teachers and students -- see URL:
http://ac6v.com/morseaids.htm#Learn
Your dits and dahs may vary.
--
Caveat Lector - Ya All
I Doubt, Therefore I Might Be
73 From AC6V, who is QBF most of the time !!
Rod In Oceanside, CA
Home Page http://ac6v.com
DX Book http://ac6v.com/DXSAMPLE.htm
"Tiger" <rnp...@nospamhawaiian.net> wrote in message
news:b286ek$hom$1...@lust.ihug.co.nz...
Bill, W7TI
news:dOO1a.11739$q91.1...@news2.west.cox.net:
> Certainly one can find that one of the methods mentioned to be easier
> for them -- but perhaps not another will find the same one the "best".
> One is advised to try several until one clicks in. Beware of the Elmer
> that sez "this method is the best" Maybe the best for them but not for
> you.
>
>
_______________________________________________________________
Whatever method you use, try to *hear* the code directly as a letter.
IOW, don't try to translate the sound into dot-dash and translate that
into A, just hear the dot-dash and think A. Easier said than done, but
when you master it your receiving speed will increase dramatically.
--
Bill, W7TI
Tiger
>Certainly one can find that one of the methods mentioned to be easier for
>them -- but perhaps not another will find the same one the "best". One is
>advised to try several until one clicks in. Beware of the Elmer that sez
>"this method is the best" Maybe the best for them but not for you.
My remarks aren't geared to which "meathod" but most user friendly,
feature packed software at a reasonable price. Ham U. allows the user
to choose *either* Koch or Farnsworth. Having downloaded nearly all
the freeware programs and only found a couple even acceptable,
hopefully I can point someone to some decent software and maybe save
them some time and frustration. While some people have success with
tapes, a drawback I found was learning the sequences so repeated
listening is a problem. I think it's helpful to share this so one can
consider whether or not to invest in tapes. Hopefully armed with
differing opinions and experiences shared by others, one can make an
informed choiced and avoid some frustration. As I said, I'm a freeware
junkie, so if I can find free programs, I won't spend my money. In the
case of learning code, I thought Ham U. was software worth paying for
after trying the demo. Again, an *opinion* that might be helpful to
someone, esp. since they can try it out for free and see if it works
for them or if they should try something else.
Tiger
Tiger
seems like forever. I didn't have problems with the easy letters like
e,t,i,m,n, etc., but the longer ones were problems. I was blanking a
lot and confusing letters as I just couldn't "hear" it. I finally was
able to get a copy of Code Quick. I have literally seen a difference
over night using Code Quick. It's amazing and I probably wouldn't have
believed it if it happened to someone else. I'm now copying 10 WPM at
a character rate of 18. This is practically a miracle for me. The
software alone is probably not really enough for someone just starting
on code, but for someone like me it should be. I wish I'd gotten their
software and cd's or cassette bundle years ago. It would have saved me
repeatedly giving up in frustration after weeks of study.
Tiger